Regulator gives Bruce Power go-ahead to start-up Unit 1

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has given Bruce Power the go-ahead to power up its Unit 1 reactor.

Today’s permission to remove reactor shutdown guarantees from Unit 1, which has been shut down for 15 years, means it is now ready to go live and Bruce Power can complete final safety checks in preparation for synchronization to Ontario’s electricity grid.

“The regulator’s approval clears the way for staff to take the reactor operational and complete the remaining commissioning and start-up tests on the unit,” said Mike Burke, Station Vice President, Bruce A. “Operations staff will complete a number of tests that will clear the way for Unit 1 to deliver to low-cost, clean, reliable power to the provincial grid.”

The next step will be to synchronize Unit 1 to the Ontario electricity grid. The 750 megawatt unit will produce enough electricity to power approximately 500,000 homes, roughly a city the size of Hamilton.